Chapter 14

014. The Trial of Competition (3)

The moment the message indicating the start of the trial appeared, another set of messages appeared.

"Your team members have all been assigned."

"The main gate of the fortress will open in 10 minutes."

"Finish your preparations and begin the trial by then."

Rumble...

And simultaneously, two portals that had not been operational emitted a strange sound.

They said it would be a trio...

Indeed, that information wasn't wrong.

Two challengers I had never seen before emerged from the portals.

"Competition? Really, is this the 4th floor trial?"

A giant in full armor looked up into the air and frowned, muttering to himself.

It seemed he had just seen the official message from the tower.

He might not have known that the 4th floor trial was a competition.

In contrast, the female challenger who appeared beside him didn't seem flustered.

"Don't panic. Since we've been assigned to a team, why don't we introduce ourselves first?"

She calmly looked around and suggested introductions.

She was too calm, but it seemed there was no need for unnecessary conversation.

I introduced myself before the giant, who seemed less informed.

"I am Han Seong-yun, a challenger. Please work with me."

After I finished speaking, the female challenger ran her long hair through her hand and said,

"I'm Lee Ha-yeon. Likewise, please work with me."

She was a beautiful woman with a clean and proud demeanor, but that was all.

After briefly observing Lee Ha-yeon, I turned my gaze away.

'Now, there's only one left.'

Looking at the last giant, his mouth opened as if he was reluctantly going to respond.

"...I'm Lee Sung-hoon. As long as you don't interfere, there won't be any trouble."

As long as you don't interfere, there won't be any trouble.

It was a rather ominous introduction, but before I could dwell on it, the topic changed.

"First, is there anyone who has already found information about the trial?"

Lee Sung-hoon, who had been looking for trial information, received a calm response from Lee Ha-yeon.

"Yes, I used my question rights to find the information."

"That's good. Do you know how the trial progresses and other details?"

"...Since I used quite a few question rights, I should know most of the basic information."

"Hmm, well, at least our assigned team isn't the worst."

I agreed with that.

Lee Sung-hoon, though he seemed a bit overconfident, wasn't bad.

Usually, those who are overly confident are quite strong.

Of course, if he were to continue like this as a teammate, it would be a headache...

'But since we're assigned to the 4th floor trial, it shouldn't be that bad.'

We just need to cooperate well in this trial to break through the 4th floor, and that would be the end of our connection.

So, his overconfidence didn't bother me much.

"Before we start the trial, let's quickly reveal our abilities and move on."

Lee Sung-hoon dismissed any small talk and suggested revealing our abilities.

Knowing each other's abilities is important for smooth teamwork, so it made sense.

Lee Ha-yeon seemed to ponder for a moment before revealing her abilities.

"I have a scouting unique trait and can use magic. I'm not good at close combat."

When she mentioned being a mage, Lee Sung-hoon's eyes lit up.

He might not be quick-witted, but he seemed to know that mages are rare.

"Oh, a mage. What kind of magic can you use?"

"Not offensive magic, but I specialize in supporting the team."

A mage specialized in support but not offensive magic...

I, who had been listening silently, spoke up.

"But you can use offensive magic to some extent, right?"

Even if she was a support mage, she shouldn't be completely unable to use offensive magic.

She didn't seem to be equipped for close combat, but she must have had some means of attack to climb the tower.

'Even if the trials vary for each person, it's hard to imagine a trial where you can only use support magic to climb.'

Of course, if all trials weren't combat-focused or if she had other means of attack, it wouldn't be a problem.

From her attire, it didn't seem like she had any special combat means other than magic.

That meant she could use offensive magic.

In response to my words, Lee Ha-yeon's eyes widened slightly before she calmly admitted,

"...Yes, I can use elemental magic to some extent."

She seemed to have considered hiding it but gave up.

She probably thought it would be revealed soon anyway since I brought it up.

Of course, I understood why she wanted to hide it.

'In the worst case, she might need to use a hidden trump card.'

The failure condition of the trial is the complete annihilation of the challenger team.

In other words, as long as there's a survivor, it doesn't matter if the team members die.

Even if the team members are alive, it doesn't matter how they are treated.

'This condition has many loopholes if misused.'

So, she might have wanted to keep her offensive magic hidden as a precaution.

In the trial tower, which is completely isolated from the outside world, anything can happen.

However, since I had no intention of misusing it, I pointed out the inefficiency of hiding it.

"A mage, huh? You seem suitable for a support role."

...Of course, Lee Sung-hoon didn't seem particularly interested.

After a brief moment of thought, I briefly described my abilities.

"I specialize in close combat and have a unique trait related to physical enhancement."

I revealed just enough information to not raise suspicion.

Since I do have the ability to enhance my physical strength, I wasn't lying.

Externally, it was a characteristic that suited me, so I wouldn't be doubted.

"Coincidence, I'm also a close combat specialist. My unique trait is related to anti-magic resistance."

"Anti-magic resistance... That's quite a good ability."

"At least I'm not just an average Joe."

Lee Sung-hoon smirked.

Now I understand where his overconfidence comes from.

'With an anti-magic resistance trait, no wonder.'

A trait that increases resistance to magic, whether it's magic or something else.

It's a very synergistic ability for close combat specialists.

That's why he could maintain such a confident attitude.

"Since we're at it, let's also reveal our hunter ranks from the outside. It's easier to gauge our abilities that way."

Lee Sung-hoon slightly raised the corners of his mouth and spoke.

"For your information, I was a D-rank hunter outside."

"Ah, that's a good idea. I was an E-rank."

"Pretty high for a support specialist. Your supporting abilities must have been quite good."

"Yeah, something like that."

While Lee Ha-yeon was giving a vague answer, Lee Sung-hoon's gaze turned to me.

His eyes seemed to be urging me to reveal my abilities quickly.

But I didn't have a hunter rank to speak of.

I was a wannabe who had spent seven years rotting in a player-only gym.

So, there was no way I could have a decent rank, and I soon revealed the truth.

Since lying would be revealed soon anyway, it was better to be honest.

"I wasn't a hunter outside, but a player. I was preparing to become a hunter."

Of course, I didn't mention the seven-year preparation period.

"Really, not a hunter but a wannabe?"

Despite that, as expected, Lee Sung-hoon's expression twisted.

"Still, I can fight to some extent."

I had fought my way from the 1st to the 4th floor, so I had some confidence.

But Lee Sung-hoon didn't even pretend to believe me.

"What do you mean 'fight'? It would be a miracle if you don't hold us back."

He spat out harsh words, clearly treating me as a liability.

A familiar look.

"..."

A reaction I had experienced countless times before entering the trial tower.

People who looked down on me for lacking talent and failing to become a hunter.

"From what I can see, I can gauge your level. Well, at least with physical enhancement, you can be a shield."

His tone suggested he had no expectations.

But I didn't respond to his words and silently looked at him.

He seemed to take my silence as agreement and continued smugly.

"Lead the way and just protect Lee Ha-yeon. Follow my orders, and I'll get you through."

Lee Ha-yeon cautiously spoke up.

"Well, you've made it this far, so your abilities should be similar."

She seemed to be trying to mediate in case I got angry.

But I had no intention of responding to Lee Sung-hoon's words.

The trial tower is a place where abilities are everything.

If Lee Sung-hoon has the right to speak to me that way, I will have to accept it.

Being despised is a cheap price to pay for risking my life.

If my abilities are solid, it's better to ignore and cooperate appropriately...

But if not, I won't just accept such treatment.

There's no need to endure without a justifiable reason.

And...

'Whether it's worth enduring or not, I'll find out soon enough.'

"The main gate of the fortress will open in 3 minutes."

The trial will start in earnest soon.

Also...

"Now, let's hear the information you obtained with your question rights."

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.

Protesting immediately would be meaningless.

At least, I didn't want to give him a chance to escape if he turned out to be unhelpful or a hindrance.

Even as a hunter, if he grew from a state where all skills and stats were reset...

'There's no way there would be such a huge difference.'

There might be some differences in unique traits or rewards obtained.

But my guess was that there wouldn't be a significant difference between us.

Especially now that I know my unique trait is somewhat overpowered in terms of growth.

That's why I listened to Lee Ha-yeon without protesting to Lee Sung-hoon.

"I'll explain what will happen after the fortress opens."

There was nothing particularly special about what would happen after the fortress opened.

As usual, we would engage in fierce battles with monsters.

The goal was to navigate through the battlefield and kill the Goblin King faster than anyone else.

"There are five bosses in this fortress city, and only 15 can pass through."

In other words, only half of the 30 will survive.

"Two teams will target one boss, so our competitors will be the other team."

It could be considered somewhat manageable with fewer competitors...

'But six people targeting one boss...'

It was a cruel trial.

Only one of the two teams could survive, which was almost equivalent to murder.

Or rather, it was like being told to commit murder.

To survive, we would have to eliminate the competition before killing the boss.

But Lee Sung-hoon seemed to like it, grinning.

"Simple and good. We just need to kill the boss faster than the competition."

"We need to complete our exploration and target the boss within the remaining time."

"By the way, you mentioned you have a scouting trait?"

"Yes, I'll guide you, so please protect me."

"Got it, wannabe? Just lead the way and protect well."

I nodded at Lee Sung-hoon, who spoke as if challenging me.

It would be strange to respond nicely to someone who clearly looks down on you.

Though his expression suggested he was unhappy with my silence, he didn't press further.

He couldn't.

"Time's up."

"The main gate of the fortress opens, and monsters surge in."

"Find and